Michael got an F

But first things first.  A couple weekends' worth of stuff here.  Zach had a b-day just over a week ago, and his grandparents all came bearing gifts for little man's lucky number siete.

And this is what spoiled rotten looks like.  After opening presents from everybody all at once, it looked a tad obscene.

And as for Michael's F... it's an academic letter, woo-hoo!

Lastly, we made our annual excursion to Redwing on Saturday.  A little early for it, but Michael has a marching band event coming up on the October weekend we'd normally go.  I suppose as the kids get older, we'll run into more conflicts like that.  *wiping tears for old fogey kids*  Anyway, it worked out great, with bright sun and temps in the 80's.  We found our way to a lovely overlook that had a good view of Barn Bluff, the one we usually climb (as seen in previous Crayziee entries).
 

dining room redo

We put it off and put it off.  The wallpaper needed to go.  For almost 10 years, the dining room project loomed in the background but we tried not to think about it.  Because wallpaper.  Finally gave in and started removing it a few weeks ago.  Replaced the carpet while we were at it, too.  I like how it turned out, and it feels good to have the furniture back where it belongs, instead of piled in the living room.

snerk

"My mascara's coming off!"

Had some fun on Lake Waconia over the weekend when my brother Chris and his fiancée Jenny took us out on their new boat.   Except Michael the water-phobe, the kids all tried tubing.  Zach wasn't too keen on it, but the middle two were.  Had a good laugh when Adrienne, who's just started to wear a little makeup, realized her mascara was running down her face.  Heaven forbid somebody see you in the middle of a lake without luscious long thick eyelashes.

 

2014 obligatory first day of school pics

Today was the big day!  The kids were jittery and excited and couldn't eat much for breakfast.  I don't have a shot of them together, 'cuz they leave at 3 different times.

 

Didn't get a good shot of Adrienne; it's too dark.  She's an 8th grader, already in her last year of middle school.

Nicky's in 5th grade, his last year of elementary school, so it's the last year that he and Zach (in 1st grade) will ever be in the same school together.

Michael the sophomore got to have a lazy morning because the 'little' freshmen always start the first day alone for a few hours.  Starting tomorrow, he'll be the first to leave, at 6:45.  He spent his extra time this morning tormenting poor Skippy, who's still pretty intimidated by him.  Michael positioned him just so on the couch, and he wouldn't move while Michael was there.  Now that everyone's gone, I think Skippy's as happy as I am to have a few hours of peace and quiet.